Thunder Roos? Croc hunters? How you can help name Zebulon’s new baseball team.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Zebulon will host a new Coastal Plain League team featuring Australian players.
- Finalists include Bushrangers, Croc Hunters, Devil Dogs, Iron Horses and Thunder Roos.
- Public voting runs through Dec. 1 online.
In a world of Sod Poodles, Trash Pandas and Jumbo Shrimps*, how will Zebulon’s new baseball team’s name stand out?
It might take some Aussie flair.
A new Coastal Plain League baseball team will take the field in May 2026 at Five County Stadium after the Carolina Mudcats were lured away to nearby Wilson to become the Warbirds.
The new team will arrive in Zebulon featuring Australia-born baseball players and coaches through a partnership with Ozball, which connects Australian athletes with American colleges and professional opportunities. Coastal Plain League is a collegiate summer league with teams around the Southeast.
“This partnership brings an incredible mix of talent, culture and excitement to our community,” said CPL Commissioner Chip Allen. “Fans in the Triangle will have a chance to watch elite players from Australia represent their country while becoming part of our local baseball family. The CPL prides itself on its innovation, and this partnership with Australia’s Ozball will make for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.”
Over 3,000 submissions were initially received, including 900 unique names, according to the Coastal Plain League. Voting ends Monday, Dec. 1, and people can vote at coastalplain.com/ZebulonTop5.
Here are the five finalists, as described by the league:
- Zebulon Bushrangers: Bushrangers were daring outback bandits known for their grit, independent and larger-than-life legend
- Zebulon Croc Hunters: Croc Hunters pay homage to Australia’s fearless wildlife adventurers — most famously the late Steve Irwin — evoking courage, quick reflexes and a bold, competitive spirit.
- Zebulon Devil Dogs: Devil Dogs connects the fierce temperament of Tasmania’s native devils with the local legacy of Devil Dog Dungarees, reflecting Zebulon’s textile history and a personality built on toughness and character.
- Zebulon Iron Horses: Iron Horses honors Zebulon’s deep railroad heritage. The Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad, whose early 1900s expansion helped create the town, inspired the nickname. As a classic term for powerful train engines, Iron Horses symbolizes strength, momentum and unrelenting drive.
- Zebulon Thunder Roos: Thunder Roos merges the iconic kangaroo with the power of a southern storm, suggesting explosive energy, thunderous hits and a lively, electric atmosphere at the stadium.
Reactions were mixed on social media, with some liking the international connections, while others wanted a greater focus on Zebulon or to keep the Mudcats name.
Five County Stadium is owned by Wake County and the town of Zebulon. They selected Capitol Broadcasting Co., which owns the Durham Bulls, the Coastal Plain League and WRAL, as the new operator of the stadium.
Other teams in the Coastal Plains League include the Asheboro Zookeepers, the Lexington County Blowfish, Holly Spring Salamanders and the Macon Bacon.
*Yes, those are real Minor League Baseball teams located in Amarillo, Texas; Madison, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida.
